Rest and War: A Field Guide for the Spiritual LifeSample

One of my favorite explanations of Jesus’ ministry came from himself in Luke 11. Someone asked him what he was here to do, and he said, “Picture a strong guy, fully armored up with all of his stuff. And no one will mess with him until someone stronger comes, beats him up, and steals his things” (see Luke 11:21–22). He says, “that’s me.” He said, “I am here to destroy the strong one and to set captives free.” The strong one was the devil, and the captives were us. So let me encourage you right here, if you are feeling discouraged—that sin is holding you captive, your besetting sins weigh you down—can I tell you some good news? The stronger one is here.

And then we find out at the high point of Jesus’ ministry that he sets his face like stone towards Jerusalem. As he marched to his fate there, he told his boys on the night he was betrayed, “Now the ruler of this world will be cast out”(John 12:31 NASB). Jesus destroyed the works of the devil, not by perpetrating violence but by taking violence upon himself.

The writer of Hebrews says it this way: “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (Hebrews 2:14–15 ESV). He said, “I am going to take the weapon out of the devil’s hand.” How? By taking on the same flesh that you and I have, and taking on the death that we were held captive by, and by defeating it and rising. Paul explained it this way. He said, “The sting of death is sin” (1 Corinthians 15:56 ESV).

What makes death so scary? That we would die knowing we have violated a holy God. And so Jesus, in His mercy, didn’t perpetrate violence—he took it upon himself. He stepped in front of us, and he took the stinger and all the poison of our just condemnation so we might be set free.

1. How does Jesus’ purpose to destroy the works of the devil and set us free from sin impact your relationship with Jesus?
2. How does God’s presence in the midst of your daily battles free you to fight and find victory?
3. What is one area in your life where you need to stand with Jesus and experience freedom?